By: Tam

Tam — Thu, 08 Sep 2005 22:30:30 +0000

It is obvious that Mr.Heath’s friend is far better off than most we hear about and see on television. She, afterall, has internet or postal service, neither of which are available to those hit hardest. I think there isn’t much in this letter most people of any cerebral nature haven’t already figured out. However, after several travels in that part of the country I will say that there are places one can go and see no white faces for literally days. I thought the media (msnbc, cnn, fox, etc) had done well showing the multi-racial faces of the refugees. I call them refugees because they are those seeking refuge, and I’ll not be caught up in somebody’s idea of political correctness which is really just a way to bastardize the English language. That aside, most Americans are aware of the high crime rate, drug addiction rate and alcoholism rate in some parts of New Orleans. I expect Biloxi may be similar in certain areas of town and in fact Baton Rouge is known to have many areas of town where those of sound mind know better than to travel after dusk for fear of being mugged or worse. The facts are that New Orleans has a poverty rate of over two times the national average. It’s a stretch to say that those who failed to leave are “too lazy”, when wolf has been shouted in the face of these folks for most of their lives. I’ll not be faulting them for their own situation. I’m not sure anyone has to be faulted, although that seems to be the only thing to pacify some. I know of one medical team specially trained to respond to emergencies which has been moved 7 times by FEMA orders from STATE TO STATE and has treated one small cut thus far. See, I think that is just someone (perhaps not Geo. W) who WILL NOT make a decision with authority. If it’s not about the man with whom the buck stops…it surely may be about those with whom he surrounds himself. I expect when it’s all said and done a FEMA director will be standing in the cheese line on a rainy day and we will ALL be better for learning the lessons to be learned from Katrina.

Comments on: Direct from Ground Zero

By: Tam